Motor vehicle antenna



original Filed Nov. as, 195er 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nav. 1s, 1943. c. R. PATON 2,334,503-

MOTOR VEHICLE ANTENNA Original Filed NOV. 25, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 16, 1943 rzer-:4,503

UNiTED STATES PATENT 1 orFIcE Y 2,334,503 I 1 r Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Y Original application November 2,3, 1936, Serial No. 112,416. Divided and this application cwber 2, 1940, serial No. 359,437 Y "4 claims. (c1. 25o-s3) The present invention relates to radio Vapparatus for use in connectionwith'motor vehicles, and particularly to an antenna system for association with vehicles of the closed type, this apn plication constituting a division' of my prior application, Serial No. 112,416, filed November 23, 1936, now Patent 2,233,222.

With the advent of steel vehicle tops, the location of radio antenna has become a serious problem, since the antenna cannot be built into the top structure, or locatedv therebeneath, ybecause of the shielding eiect of the top. Antennas have been placed below the running boards and' at other points beneath the vehicle, but it has been found that the locati-on of the antenna close to the ground is disadvantageous, in that the antenna collects static electricity generated in the tires, resulting in noisy reception, andfor other reasons. n

Other attempts have beenmade, such as employing an insulated rear compartment door, or an insulated windshield column, as an antenna, but it has been found that the most satisfactory disposition of the antenna is to locate it asiar as possible from the ground and from the vehicle body.

The whip type of antenna, comprising a short rod or strip of metal supported at one end, gives satisfactory results, but is unsightly 'and is valso subject to damage when the vehicle is driven under low overhead structures.

The present-,invention has for an object the provisionr of an antenna inassociation with the top of a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce its unsightliness and minimize the dangerloi injury to the antenna. A further object isthe provision of a whip type antenna in combination with means for elevating it into a position above the i vehicle top, for optimum reception, and lowering it to an inconspicuous position when not in use.

A further object is the provision of antenna means adapted to cause a minimum of wind resistance while the vehicle is in motion. Another object is the provision of an antenna associated with the top of a vehicle, and means operable from within the vehicle for raising and lowering the antenna. v

Other and further objects, features and advantages will appear from the description which follows, together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a retractible antenna system embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal'sectional view taken substantially on'the line 2-2 of Figure 1;'

Figure 3 is a perspectiveview illustrating a detail of the structure shown in" Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a modification of the antenna elementsuch as may be employed in association with the mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 ;l Y

Figure 5 is a side elevation of `another form of antenna system; v 4

Figure is a frontelevation of the structure shown in Figure 5; Y ,l

Figure 'Tis a vertical section through the antenna operating mechanism of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View, partly in section, of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 7; l j

' Figures 9 and 10 represent side elevational `and perspective views, respectively, of another form of antennalelement; andv Figures 11 and` l2 -are similar views, respectively, of `a modification of the structure shown in Figures9 and 10. r f

In order to facilitate an understanding of Vthe invention, reference is made to the embodiment thereof shown in' the accompanying drawings and detailedV descriptive language is employed. It will nevertheless be` understood that no limitation of the invention is thereby intended and that various changes and alterations are contemplated such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Figures 1-3 inclusive of the drawings represent an antenna system in which the antenna element is supported4 for displacement from a raised opertive position Lto a depressed or retracted inoperativeposition, displacement being eiected by simple and compact operating mechanism accessible from the interior cf the vehicle.

, Thus the vehicle top i3 may beapertured 'adjacentthe forwardend thereof, and a support or casing l2, preferablyof airfoil design, is secured directly to thevehicle'top so as to overlie and constitute a closure for the said opening. The antenna element Il, shown as a rod of conducting metal and sufciently rigid to be self-supporting when mounted at one end only, is bent laterally at that end to provide a supporting shaft portion l5 extending transversely of and into the casing l2. Surrounding the shaft portion l5 of the antenna element is a sleeve I8 of soft rubber, vulcanized or otherwise surface-bonded to the shaft portion. An outer sleeve I9, surrounding the sleeve I3 and bonded thereto, is journaled for rotation in one side of the casing the vehicle top. y

I2. At the opposite side of the casing, the shaft I 5 is journaled in a bushing 20 of rubber or other insulating material. A portion of the periphery of the sleeve I9 is serrated, as indicated at 2| (Figure 5), for engagement with a correspondingly shaped aperture in one end of an operating lever 22. The 'lever' is thus mounted. on the sleeve I9 and serves to elevate and depress the antenna element I I in accordance with its movements, the rubber sleeve I8 serving as an insulating element and further affording a resilient connection be.- tween the antenna element and the operating lever, so as to yield if the extended antenna elevment meets with an obstruction. l FrictionV discs 23 and 24 are mounted on sleeve I 9 on either side of the lever 22, and a spring washer 25 is dis.-

posed between the friction, disc 23 and the. wall of the casing I2, the discs 23, 24 and Washer 25 cooperating to retain the lever 22 in any position in which it is placed. l

A conductor 2S (Figure 3) `for electrically connecting the antenna element andthe receiver (not shown), is connected toI the shaft portion I5 of the. antenna element. II; by means of a spring clip 21, which yengages in a groove 28 formed in the shaft `26..

If desired, a sensitivity switch, 23 may be associated with the casing I2 in such a. way as to be operated by movement of the leverv 22. into and out of its uppermost position, thus providing for adjustment of the sensitivity of the receiver in accordance with the position of the antenna.

The antenna element. itself may assume various forms. Thus i-n Figure, 4 is represented. an antenna. element I consisting of a plurality of elongated members 8, connected by webs, 9 to form a rigid structure, the members being of air-toil contour. The Velement III may be supported on aA housing I2 similar to that described in connection with Figures 1.-3 and operable by mechanism illustrated therein.Y

, Inthe` dev-ice. illustrated Figures -8, inclusive, the antenna comprises, two wire rods 3l) seated in dises 33,A mounted on a. shaft 3I, which is .iournaled in a casing 32 of airfoil section. The discs 33 are insulated tromshaft 3| by rubber btwhings 34, and are, connected to the radio receiver by conductors 3 5, to provide a, dualY an.- tenna system. The; shaft. y3i' isl adapted to be rotated,A to elevate `and depressv the antenna, by means ot a, crank 36:.. secured to a shaft 31, journaled in the casingl 32. A. worm 38,` secured on the shaft 3.-'Iy engages` a. worm gear 39 on shaft. 3I, and it is apparent that' the antenna, may' be elevated or depressed by rotating the crank 36 in: the proper direction.. Preferably` the rearward ends of `rods 33 are provided with soft rubber 4.0;, to prevent the rods from grounding on Figures 9.Y to l2. show two exemplary forms. of antenna designed to reducewind resistance. while providing relativelyziarge.- surta-ces for the interewtionot radio; energy:` ,These forms of antenna are illustrated as rigidly attached to the vehicle top, although it is obvious that similar forms might be mounted for relative movement as hereinbefore described.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In an antenna system for'motor vehicles,

the combination with a vehicle body having an opening therein, of a support secured to said body so asto constitute a closure for the opening, an antenna element pivotally mounted on said support for displacement from an inoperative y lowered position to an operative raised position,

and operating means for so displacing said element, saidv operating means comprising an arm projecting throughl said opening for manipula- Llt) tionfrom the interior of the vehicle and being connected to said element so as to form there with a bell-crank lever.

2. In an antenna system for motor vehicles, the

combination with a vehicle tophaving an opening therein, of a support secu-red tof said ltop so as to constitute a closure for the opening, an

antenna elem-ent sufciently rigid to be selfsupporting, said element being'pivotal'lymounted at one end on said support on an axis extending transversely of the vehicle for displacement: from an inoperative lowered position,4 in which it extends rearwardly from said axis, to an operative raised position, and operating means tor so displacing said element, said opera-ting means being secured to said element and projecting through said opening. for manipulation from within the vehicle- 3. In an antenna system for motor vehicles, the combination With-a vehicle topI having an opening therein, of a casing secured to said top so as to constitute a closure for the opening, an antenna element supported by said casi-ng for displacement from an inoperative lowered position tor an operati-ve raised. position, operating means' for sodisplacing said element said operating Ineans being carriedhy saidk casing and projecting through saidopening for' manip-ula.- tion from within the vehicle, and gearing said casing for connecting said operating means and said' antenna element.

4. In ank antennasystem for motor vehicles, the combination with aY vehicle body having an opening therein, of a support secured to said body so as to constitute a closure for the opening, an antenna. element mounted. on said support for displacement from an inoperative lowered positionto an operative raised position, operating means for so displacing said element, said operating means being mounted. on said support and projecting through said; opening for manipulation from the interior of the. vehicle, and resilient means affording` a yielding connection between said operating means and said. element.

CLYDE R. PATON. 

